Episode Summary

Skiing with kids is expensive — and buying the wrong season pass can cost your family hundreds of dollars before you ever click into a binding. In this episode, Jessica Averett, a PSIA-certified ski instructor and ski mom of five, breaks down the four major multi-resort passes (Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, and Indy) so you can stop guessing and start skiing with a real plan. She covers every tier, every price point, and the exact questions every ski parent needs to ask before buying.

What You'll Learn

• The critical difference between the full Ikon Pass and the Ikon Base Pass — and which one is actually the better deal for your family based on when and where you ski
• How Epic's new teen and young adult pricing changes the family math, and how to decide between the full Epic Pass and the Epic Local Pass when you're trying to teach kids to ski without breaking the bank
• Which passes deliver the best family skiing tips for specific regions — Utah, Colorado, Vermont, and California — so you stop paying for resorts you'll never use
• Why the Mountain Collective is ideal for families who travel intentionally to world-class mountains, and why the Indy Pass is the smartest option for children learning to ski at smaller, less crowded resorts
• The one thing every ski parent must do before the price goes up — and why spring is the only time to buy

Resources & Links

• 🎿 First Tracks: A Parent's Guide to Teaching Kids to Ski — Jessica's complete course for ski parents ready to stop guessing and start teaching with confidence. Learn more at skiingkid.com
• Ikon Pass: ikonpass.com
• Epic Pass: epicpass.com
• Mountain Collective: mountaincollective.com
• Indy Pass: indyskipass.com

Key Takeaway

"The right pass is the one that matches how and where your family actually skis — not the one with the most resorts on the brochure."

Skiing with Kids is hosted by Jessica Averett, a ski instructor and mom of five who has spent more than 20 years helping kids learn to ski. This podcast helps parents create calmer, happier ski days by focusing on confidence, connection, and simple strategies that actually work with kids on the mountain.  She's the founder of First Tracks: A Parent's Guide to Teaching Kids to Ski, a course that walks parents through everything they need to know to skip overpriced ski school and confidently teach their own kids to ski.

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More Skiing with Kids Resources

For more tips, gear reviews, and ski parenting advice visit Skiing Kids
You can find me on Instagram @theadventuretravelfam
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